A political battle in Ashland is the latest example of how Nebraska's recall law has been used by local government critics and sometimes by those who don't get their way. "A recall needs to be for legitimate reasons. It's not meant to be 'If you don't cave in to our position, then it's bye-bye for you,'" said Allen Beermann, who served as Nebraska's secretary of state for 24 years.

Democratic presidential candidates argued Saturday night that organized labor is an essential part of the nation's economy whose troubles mirror the deterioration of the middle-class way of life. For all the candidates, it was one stop in a busy several days leading to a debate today in Des Moines.

Democrat Barack Obama said Saturday that the country faces an "an urgent moral challenge" to reduce reliance on oil and needs a president willing to defy special interests in Washington that dictate energy policy. Obama, casting himself an agent of change in a crowded field of White House candidates, suggested that he is voters' best bet to shake up the status quo.

Also:
Obama plans to cut back on candidate debates, forums

Fred Thompson, the actor and former Republican senator who's weighing a run for president, took to the campaign trail in Iowa for the first time Friday, touting his stances on terrorism and the federal deficit as well as his conservative credentials.



• Video: Thompson tests waters in Iowa